The Victorian Rental Tenancies Act includes several provisions related to electrical and gas safety checks that landlords must comply with in order to ensure the safety of their tenants. Here are some of the key requirements:
- Electrical Safety Checks:
- Landlords are required to ensure that all electrical installations and appliances in the rental property are safe and in good working order.
- Electrical installations and appliances must be checked and tested by a licensed electrician at least once every 2 years or at the start of each new tenancy.
- Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the electrical safety report within 7 days of the inspection.
- Gas Safety Checks:
- Landlords are required to ensure that all gas installations and appliances in the rental property are safe and in good working order.
- Gas installations and appliances must be checked and serviced by a licensed gasfitter at least once every 2 years or at the start of each new tenancy.
- Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the gas safety report within 7 days of the inspection.
- Smoke Alarm Checks:
- Landlords are required to ensure that the rental property is fitted with working smoke alarms.
- Smoke alarms must be installed in every bedroom, in hallways outside bedrooms, and on every level of the rental property.
- Smoke alarms must be tested and battery changed at least once every 12 months.
- Other Safety Requirements:
- Landlords must ensure that any swimming pool or spa pool on the rental property is compliant with relevant safety standards.
It’s important to note that failure to comply with these safety requirements can result in penalties and fines for landlords, as well as potential harm to tenants. As such, landlords are encouraged to take these safety checks seriously and ensure that their rental properties meet all the necessary safety standards.
